Study group releases work on potential port areas

The Port Future Study’s Consensus Working Group (CWG) today released initial work identifying a long list of areas being considered as options to meet Auckland’s future demand for port activities.

The Independent Chair of the study, Dr Rick Boven, says the work has begun by looking for areas in which a port is theoretically feasible from a technical perspective. It is a preliminary but important step in the study, creating a foundation for upcoming analysis of economic, environmental, social and cultural costs and benefits of potential options.

“The study’s consultants, a consortium led by EY, has identified the areas that offer the theoretical physical capacity for port services, such as water depth, adjacent land capacity, and distance from transport routes,” he says.

Detailed criteria to analyse the suitability of these locations are also being developed. The Study’s Reference Group will provide feedback on the areas, the proposed assessment criteria and the project methodology. A shorter list of options will then be identified and analysed in more detail, including using a cost/benefit analysis.

“This approach ensures that all possible locations are considered, including those identified in previous studies. It will allow us to come up with robust recommendations, and provide a strong evidence base to support the Council deliberations that will follow this study’s final recommendations in June.

“We are charged with looking at the feasibility of a wide range of options for the future of the port and engaging with stakeholders directly affected by the Port’s activities.

“Once we test these potential areas against the criteria we may find that some stack up well against future growth projections and infrastructure development plans, and others are simply not suitable because of environmental, social, economic or cultural concerns.

“What’s most important is that we take a long term, objective and balanced view,” says Dr Boven.

The analytic work is being guided by the Port Future Study scope set by the CWG in October 2015.

Next steps

• Meeting with the wider Reference Group this Friday 19 February seeking feedback on long list of areas and criteria.
• Consultant’s report provided to the CWG at the end of April.
• CWG recommendations to Auckland Council at the end of June.
• Ongoing Council decision-making regarding long term strategy for freight and cruise activities for Auckland.

ENDS

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